Richard Riakporhe has set his sights on a world heavyweight shot after claiming the British heavyweight crown with a brutal stoppage of Jeamie TKV on Tyson Fury’s undercard at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Londoner, who previously challenged for a cruiserweight world title, believes his power and style are a warning to the division.
Riakporhe says his arrival in the heavyweight ranks is about more than just size. Fans come to see knockouts and fighters who throw meaningful punches, he argued, and he intends to provide exactly that. His posture and presence, he adds, show he’s serious about inflicting damage and changing the landscape at heavyweight.
Having lost his last world title opportunity to Chris Billam-Smith, Riakporhe is determined to capture a major belt. He’s monitoring both domestic matchups and the global picture closely, calling out top names and contenders as potential targets. He singled out the domestic bouts — including the winner of Daniel Dubois versus Fabio Wardley — and the wider situation around Oleksandr Usyk as key factors that could open a path to a title.
“There’s a new crop of fighters coming through,” he said, explaining why the established champions should be wary. Hungry challengers present risks, he believes, and those risks make title-holders think twice about defending. Riakporhe’s blunt message: if champions want to avoid dangerous up-and-comers, they should vacate the belts so the contenders can fight for them.
A direct route to a world championship isn’t obvious right now, but Riakporhe is deliberately positioning himself for opportunity. He describes his approach as navigating shifting waters: staying ready, improving every day, and waiting for the right moment. With experience at elite level and a clear understanding of boxing’s system, he insists the pieces are falling into place and that it’s only a matter of time before he reaches the top and secures a world title fight.